People make mistakes all of the time, even on the road. Some of these mistakes, like speeding, running a red light and failing to stop at a stop sign, are considered driving violations. Violating the rules of the road can lead to a traffic ticket.
If you've received one or more traffic tickets in the past, you may be asking yourself questions like, "can I remove violations from my driving record?" and "how do traffic tickets affect car insurance rates?".
These are complex questions with even more nuanced answers. That's why our team at Surex has put together this article! Continue reading to learn more about traffic tickets, driving abstracts and how to remove violations from driving record Ontario.
START A QUOTECommon types of traffic tickets in Ontario
The Ontario government has three categories for on-road violations: minor, major and criminal convictions.
What is a minor conviction?
Minor convictions are not the most serious offences, but they can still lead to demerit points and increased car insurance rates.
Some examples of minor convictions in Ontario include:
- Speeding
- Failing to stop at a stop sign
- Overcrowding the driver's seat
- Improper or inadequate braking
- Obstructing traffic with an open car door
What is a major conviction?
Major convictions are more severe than minor convictions due to the fact that most of the offences involve putting other parties in danger and disregarding some of the most important rules of the road.
Some examples of major driving convictions in Ontario include:
- Failing to report an accident
- Passing a school bus
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe passing and/or speeding near a school or playground
- Motorists with a G1 driver’s licence operating a vehicle without proper supervision
What is a criminal conviction?
Lastly, criminal convictions are the most serious on-road offences in Ontario. Criminal offences can lead to a hefty fine, jail time and potentially lead to your car insurance company dropping you as a policyholder.
Some examples of criminal convictions in Ontario include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Driving without car insurance
- Fleeing the scene of an accident
- Denying a breathalyzer test from the authorities
- Operating a vehicle with a suspended driver's license
Please note that insurance providers have four levels of driving violations — minor, major, serious and criminal. Certain car insurance carriers rate major tickets in a higher catagory. Speak with your Surex insurance advisor for more information.
Abstract driving record Ontario — what is it?
A driver abstract is a document that outlines an Ontario driver's driving record.
Driver abstracts contain the following information:
- Personal information (name, date of birth, address, etc.)
- The motorist's driver's licence number
- Date the licence was initially issued to the driver
- The licence expiry date
- Licence classification (click here to learn about Ontario's graduated licence system)
- Restrictions
- Status of driver's licence
- Past driving violations
- Demerit point total
- License suspension
You can find a copy of your abstract via the Ministry of Transportation Ontario.
How to clean driving record Ontario
There are two primary options for drivers that want to remove a violation from their driving record: wait the set time period or fight the ticket in court.
Waiting the set time period
In most cases, driving convictions stay on your abstract for at least three full years. But, your car insurance provider will be able to rate driving convictions for as long as six full years.
After this point, the violations will be removed from your abstract and can no longer be seen by car insurance companies.
If you decide that you don't want to fight your ticket in court, waiting is the best thing that you can do if you want to obtain a clean driving record Ontario.
Fighting the ticket in court
If you've received a ticket recently, you have the power to fight the conviction in court. Tickets do not show up on your drivers abstract until you've paid it. Fighting a ticket in court can be a time-consuming and arduous battle, but it's the best choice under certain circumstances.
Here's a simple example:
You forget your driver's licence at home and get pulled over by the authorities. The authorities give you a ticket for driving without a licence. Afterward, you can go to court and prove to the judge that you do, in fact, have a valid driver's licence and simply forget it at home.
In cases like this, most judges will excuse certain events, allowing you to maintain your clean driving record and current car insurance rates.
Speaking of car insurance…
How do traffic tickets influence your car insurance rates in Ontario?
Traffic tickets can have a considerable impact on your car insurance rates. Your driving record plays a huge role in determining your car insurance rates, so if you have a number of past convictions, you can expect to pay more than the average motorist for coverage.
There's no cut-and-dry answer as to how much a traffic ticket will increase your car insurance rates; there are simply too many variables at play. But we can say that most motorists experience a 10% to 25% increase in car insurance rates after an on-road conviction. Rates can continue to grow as a driver accumulates more convictions.
Whatsmore, having too many violations puts your car insurance carrier in a challenging position and can leave them with no other option but to drop you as a policyholder.
Save up to 25% on car insurance when you team up with a Surex insurance advisor
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Have more insurance questions?
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